England's chances of upsetting Ireland in their Six Nations opener have improved with Alex Mitchell's clearance to play. Mitchell, who recovered from a knee injury, will start at scrum-half, reuniting with Marcus Smith. Other notable selections include Tom Willis for a potential second cap and Freddie Steward's return at full-back.
England ’s prospects of causing an upset against Ireland have improved after Alex Mitchell was cleared to take part in their Six Nations opener. England ’s prospects of causing an upset against Ireland have improved after Alex Mitchell was cleared to take part in their Six Nations opener.opener against Ireland on Saturday with Alex Mitchell passed fit to start at scrum‑half.
Mitchell sat out England’s entire autumn campaign with a neck injury and was missed as Borthwick’s side fell to three defeats out of four. He has emerged as the head coach’s first‑choice scrum-half, however, and – having taken a full part in the session on Monday after being unable to train last week – he is poised to retake the No 9 jersey against the defending champions.Smith is expected to retain the fly-half jersey with Freddie Steward returning at full-back.
It is also understood the in-form No 8 Tom Willis is poised for a second cap and his first involvement since an appearance off the bench in the 2023 World Cup. Willis has been in outstanding form for Saracens and, while a spot among the replacements is most likely, a place in the 23 is reward for his recent performances.
The 26-year-old was overlooked for the autumn internationals despite beginning the season with Saracens impressively. Formerly of Wasps, Willis – who is two years younger than his brother, the Toulouse flanker Jack – joined Bordeaux in November 2022 before returning to England with Saracens in 2023. With Alex Dombrandt among the injury absentees, Willis is poised for a long‑awaited second cap.
Borthwick will welcome Mitchell’s recovery. Ben Spencer and Jack van Poortvliet both started in the autumn but struggled to impose themselves. Mitchell, meanwhile, has emerged as a key part of Borthwick’s starting XV having been given. His return means his Northampton teammate Henry Pollock has left the squad training in Girona to join the under-20s. With Spencer, Raffi Quirke and Harry Randall also in the squad, there appears to be a three-way shootout for the backup scrum-half spot in Dublin.
RUGBY SIX NATIONS IRELAND ENGLAND MITCHELL
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